Why Legolas Didn't Want To Be King | Legolas After The Lord of the Rings

[@FairlyFictional]

Where would you prefer to live after the War of the Ring? Ithilien, Minas Tirith or the Glittering Caves?

[@oslaskid]

Ithilien. Not sure why, but it always appealed to me in the book.

[@GoldDragon1]

The Shire, actually. Thier simple livelyhoods are rather comforting.

[@timonsolus]

Minas Tirith

[@fred20097]

All three lol

[@tva7263]

I would have to agree, the Shire or maybe the Gray Havens

[@seventhson27]

Gimli: I never thought I'd be dying with an Elf. Legolas: How about dying with a friend? Gimli: Aye.

[@FairlyFictional]

😊

[@Blaster192]

I realized that being immortal kinda sucks. In the end. Legolas stayed without any of his friends! Even though Frodo and Sam sailed for undying lands, they still died there! Same goes for Gimli. He was allowed into Undying lands but one day he died too! Aragorn died of old age also! It must have been devastating from Legolas to see all of his friends died, especially Gimli! Gandalf is the only person he could meet from the fellowship, since he is immortal just like Legolas! They now live only in his memory for eternity! Isn't that kinda sad? Sometimes, mortality is a gift!

[@tonyp.bahama9368]

Tolkien knew this.

[@isvan6462]

Well it’s just like achilles said in the movie troy about being mortal (The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment may be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.)

[@carlosdanger1843]

But the elves are doomed themselves…when Arda passes, so do the elves…forever! Unlike the younger children of Ilúvatar - men, who died but live on forever. There’s a short dialogue between Finrod and a mortal woman wherein Finrod makes this point…that one day, the Eldar will cease to exist, whereas mankind will live on after their death…you can sense a real sadness in Finrod’s explanation of this doom.

[@williamfleckles]

As Tolkien tells us through more than one of our Elfin friends, memories are to Elves as real as life. That said, memento mori, my friend

[@Cam-lr7es]

But you can always meet new friends

[@Spartan-Of-Truth]

Wow, narration not filled with ‘googly’ emotion. But firm, fair and consistent speech. Kudos.

[@FairlyFictional]

Thanks. Some people complain about the monotone. But each video is chopped into about 30 sections which are recorded separately and sometimes multiple takes to keep it sounding consistent. ☺️

[@plumeria66]

Your voice is perfection! Don’t change!

[@LornRoberts]

Whats the point of being a prince when the king is immortal and will outlive mountains.

[@MadLFC]

Insurance policy.

[@AniwayasSong]

1) Elves can be killed. 2) Kingdoms can/do expand, so having Royal offspring handy to rule over them is a wise idea. :-)

[@AniwayasSong]

@@MadLFC Damn. You nailed it using two words, while I had to type it out! Well done!

[@MrBottlecapBill]

@@MadLFC A policy that high a high probability of never paying out. Legolas could just as likely be killed before his father. In fact being a prince who is constantly leading troops in war and guarding borders etc for eternity.......it's more likely he would be killed first, or at the very least being at war WITH his father would die at the same time. Not many elven realms historically survived the deaths of their kings.

[@eaglefangkaratedojo7473]

Actually canonically according to nature of middle earth the kings themselves eventually wanna chill and do other stuff after a few millennia so they resign if they live on. Reason we don’t see it happen in the first age is too little time passed

[@josephgriffin2388]

To think that Gimli, the only living Dwarf in Valinor, would meet his people's ultimate creator: AULE.

[@AniwayasSong]

I clicked for the Title/topic, but the artwork as the video played? omgs!!! I always loved the 'LoTR/The Hobbit' and was totally enthralled with the different Races and their interactions. I couldn't get enough of Professor Tolkiens' world, growing up, and to this day still find it absolutely fascinating! (How ONE Man did this, I will never understand, but I'm happy he did!)

[@FairlyFictional]

Thank you. And yes, he really did a great job didn't he 😁

[@michaeldpa1333]

Truly!

[@timonsolus]

Legolas never became King of the Greenwood (Mirkwood) realm of his father Thranduil. But this might not only be because his father had not died. My question is - how long did the Elven realm of Greenwood survive into the Fourth Age? The time of the Elves in Middle Earth was ending, and I’m sure that Legolas was only the first of the Greenwood Elves to experience the sea-longing. As the centuries passed, many (and eventually all) of the Greenwood Elves would have moved to the Grey Havens, and from there sail to Valinor.

[@verilyveronica8430]

He invented the Lego and we will always remember.

[@jaime8318]

The inspiration to create Lego came to him while he was rebuilding Ithilien.

[@AniwayasSong]

heh heh heh While simultaneously cursing him when we step on one of the damned things, barefooted! ;-)

[@johnathanwalker8395]

@@AniwayasSong he made them for hobbits, they can step all over them with those feet of theirs

[@AniwayasSong]

@@johnathanwalker8395 heh heh heh I can actually see the logic behind that! ;-)

[@LikeWhyTF]

Legend

[@saraross8396]

Apparently, the real reason the elven king is unnamed in the Hobbit is because Tolkien couldn't decide whether it should be Thranduil or another one (can't remember if it was Thingol or Gilgalad). In the end, this saved a lot of revision. In theory, it is possible for Legolas to have been there for in the Two Towers he fondly refers to Aragorn and Gimli as "children" when talking about Fangorn Forest. While I do not know Gimli's age at this point in the story, Aragorn is somewhere around 80, which would put him at around 2 years old at the time of Bilbo's adventures. I'd estimate that, at the very least, he's a few hundred years old, maybe even close to a thousand because the way he says it indicates that he hasn't felt young for a very very long time.

[@dlevi67]

According to the chronology in Appendix B of LOTR, Gimli was born TA 2879, which makes him about half a century older than Aragorn.

[@Sullivanin]

Gimli was 139 during the quest

[@JoshuaLivie]

The Hobbit was not specifically set in the same world as the silmarillion when it was written. Christopher Tolkien never considered the Hobbit to be part of the canon because of writing the Hobbit in a more generic fantasy setting.

[@MagashiSaizen]

To me the most heartbreaking thing in TLOR is how dull Middlearth starts becoming through the third age, everything that once made this land unique and rich in lore starts disappearing, even though is not tied to them specifically, Elves departing to the undying lands signifies the death of magic in a way taking away a little bit of color from such a lovely world.

[@FairlyFictional]

They should have let evil endure a little longer 😉

[@MagashiSaizen]

@@FairlyFictional Technically thanks to Morgoth evil will always remain in middlearth, just at a lesser scope and degree.

[@Reckoning2943]

That’s why the lord of the rings in literary terms is essentially an elegy. There’s tons of linguistic and historic evidence for this in the world formation of Tolkien. Every name and every culture is created with purpose and in a specific relation to one another. The poetry within the stories, along with the name formation practices, when looked at in a historic/ linguistic context tell a whole new story within the story, and it essentially boils down to an analogy to our real world where we’re the hobbits. Just like how the Industrial Revolution and war has kickstarted the demise of most of the magic, traditions/legends and connection to nature that we used to have, the magic in middle earth is disappearing, only to be remembered as a legend by a few but mostly forgotten by anybody else. The lord of the rings is a story of lament, departure and longing and I urge everyone to go check out linguistic papers on the lord of the rings. Tolkien was a Professor for Linguistics and Literature, and once you delve into the story from that perspective, you’ll unlock so many new layers of that universe.

[@JoshuaLivie]

That is how we get to now of course...

[@MrNoucfeanor]

​@@JoshuaLivie Oy! The economy sucks! I ain't had but maggoty ramen for three stinkin' days!

[@plumeria66]

I can’t wait to hear about Thranduil’s story! You make these elves look so beautiful. So very easy on my female eyes! Thank you!

[@FairlyFictional]

😊 I will make it so.

[@plumeria66]

@@FairlyFictional Thank you!

[@shereemcclelland2186]

Legolas “42”….Gimli “43”……Legolas fired another arrow, “43”……..Gimli “he was already dead”…..Legolas “ he was twitching”……Gimli “that’s because he has my axe in his head” Legolas contributed so much more than his bow and his knives, which were deadly in his hands, he proved to be Aragorns ‘right hand man’ he is my character favourite, but he got pipped at the post by his father in the Hobbit , Tolkien was a genius, it’s hard to imagine how he came up with these fictional characters and middle earth, then bought to life by another group of geniuses, how lucky are we, first to be able to read the books and then watch it materialise on screen, albeit a little off track here and there. Legolas Greenleaf son of Thranduil, prince of the Woodland Realm👍🇦🇺

[@FairlyFictional]

His only mistake was not kneecapping the Uruk who blew up the wall at Helms Deep 😅

[@fred20097]

I always thought he didn't become king because he heard the seagull and it caused a terrible yearning in him to go to the sea. Also, never read that his dad died

[@eolhinforest7736]

This is lovely, though it would have been nice to mention that Legolas shot down one of the nine, even if he could not end its existence. I always like to think that after loosing so many of his students to darkness, it would have greatly eased Aule's heart to have Gimli with him towards his end, telling him tales of the beauty of the glittering caves, and all the works of his kin, sitting near the warmth of the great forge.

[@jenwatson2623]

He would have been a great king of the Elvis tho.🍃

[@HomerSimpson-gr1uj]

In my mind during the Dagor Dagorath....Gimli and Legolas somehow given their bodies back by the Valar show up to fight Morgoth with the other Host of the Valar.

[@FairlyFictional]

And given extra power too 😎

[@JoeBoxerNo1]

I love your high fantasy music and voice.

[@FairlyFictional]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@Drew151Proof]

Incredible Legolas breakdown

[@yitzhakeliyahu8636]

Great video, and the art.. OMG Beautiful art work ! you have to figure out a way of making them available.

[@FairlyFictional]

@@yitzhakeliyahu8636 will do. Thank you

[@Svensk7119]

We don't actually know if he is Thranduil's only son.

[@ketami2]

I thought he had 3 older brothers....

[@Svensk7119]

@@ketami2 I don't remember ever hearing of others.

[@ketami2]

@Svensk7119 I could honestly be wrong. I don't remember, and it's been too long since I read anything. Random passeryby here. Sorry. Sometimes, a thought just gets stuck in my head.

[@Sarafimm2]

@@ketami2 You may be thinking of Arwen's two older brothers.

[@OublietteTight]

Wonderful information, thank you. The images are beautiful, though the ear locations are often odd.

[@juliawolf200]

This is an excellent video! Thank you 😇👍

[@D2attemp]

All the elves that decided to remain in Middle-Earth were destined to fade and be disembodied. Only by journeying to Valinor could they become whole once more

[@GandaMelgao]

Beautiful video! Thank you so much. 😊

[@stevegardner7274]

That’s easy. His dad is immortal.

[@trevorelliston1]

I don’t think Ithilien was barren. It was depopulated but still very wooded.

[@FairlyFictional]

I don’t recall saying it was barren 🤔? Which part are you referring to?

[@donaldbadowski6048]

I don't think so. Legoland is never referred to as Prince. And we don't know if he had any brothers ahead of him in line to the throne.

[@FairlyFictional]

A valid hypothesis 😅.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

I don't recall any references in Tolkien to Leg-O-Lam being the ELDEST son of Thrandruil or his heir. Correct me if I'm wrong. For all we know there were ten brothers in line for the throne ahead of him.

[@FairlyFictional]

It wasn’t mentioned. But then we never heard about any siblings either 🤔..

[@timonsolus]

@@GeraldM_inNC: He may have had an elder brother, but equally, his elder brother may have been killed by Orcs, or even by Smaug.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

@timonsolus But he is never called prince or heir.

[@Peter-wc7dg]

It's interesting to look at Legolas's character arc with consideration for the destruction of the ring (including the will to dominate, order and control), and the passing of mastery of the world from Elves to Men. The next generation of potential elvish rule humbly helped Men to rebuild Middle-Earth, sharing support, camaraderie, skills and knowledge before following destiny and passing to the West. The relationship between Gimli and Legolas is also interesting, and it could have different applications. It could relate again to an opposite effect to the will of the ring, overcoming the desire for domination and control. As you say in this video, it could relate to the setting aside of prejudice on the smallest individual level as granting experiences that would never otherwise be obtained (and no other Dwarf or Elf gained those experiences). It might also relate to Gimili achieving what Feanor could not, being pure of heart and thus being rewarded with three strands of Galadriel's hair to be set in a stone, as well as being able to enter Valinor unchanged with the Elves, alongside his friend. Feanor could not enter due to his choices. Dwarves were not created by Iluvatar but he did grant them the flame imperishable (souls). Gimli's arc might have an echo of the original Little Mermaid, where she ultimately dissolved into sea foam but through her choices was granted a soul and the ability to enter heaven. Gimili also made choices that led him to enter Valinor, a different kind of heaven from humans.

[@FairlyFictional]

That’s interesting. I am not familiar with the original Little Mermaid story.

[@Sarafimm2]

Just think Gimli was actually able to see Galadriel again ... and could return the hairs leaving behind a keepsake and reminder of the friendship between elves and dwarves.

[@TheKavin1701]

Great video with beautiful artwork. I just didn't care for the background music

[@FairlyFictional]

Thank you. I tried some better music in the newer video I think.

[@TheTimelessVault]

Great video, keep up the good work 👍

[@FairlyFictional]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@lampertmorton8068]

thank you for sharing love lord of the rings look for to the next one😍

[@chrisclark6154]

Interesting video. Thanks.

[@FairlyFictional]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TomMJH]

Nice!

[@FairlyFictional]

Thanks ☺️

[@mtvfindail]

Source of the artwork?

[@FairlyFictional]

I made all the art so there isn’t really another source. Which ones did you like?

[@CybeleCotter]

It's not always good to be king.

[@King141fox]

where can I find the artwork, I would love for it to be my wallpaper on my computer!

[@FairlyFictional]

Which ones would you like?

[@jcalder6746]

I don’t think they were Sindar.

[@FairlyFictional]

Legolas was Sindar through his father’s side.

[@hey_niki_]

Where did you get the artwork?

[@FairlyFictional]

I made them. I’m trying to figure out a good way of making them available eventually. Which ones did you like?

[@hey_niki_]

@@FairlyFictional wow! You definitely should.

[@Mr.Paticles]

Whoever made this video, should at least realize that elves are immortals. And Legolas becoming king meant only two things, that Tranduil is either killed by his enemies or Legolas himself usurped the Throne.

[@FairlyFictional]

Why Legolas didn’t *want* to be King..

[@Mr.Paticles]

​@@FairlyFictional"He never took his place as king"

[@sonjastarr1364]

Elven kings often retire, they don't have to die first!

[@Mr.Paticles]

@@sonjastarr1364 atleast mention some elven kings from the legendarium if your going to make a statement to prove your point.

[@FuchsiaFire444]

Tolkien was never interested in patriarchy's false status. He was always interested in a person's character and the most powerful in his works choose that.

[@ToudaHell]

Wasn't Legolas the youngest prince of Mirkwood? That means he has brothers who would take the throne.

[@FairlyFictional]

I don’t believe there is any reference to him having siblings.

[@Sullivanin]

Legolas might not have even been the heir. He might have had a dozen older brothers as far as we know.

[@FairlyFictional]

Possibly. But he was happy to stay in Mirkwood before he went with the fellowship.

[@LuxVi7]

Not dozens… elves didn’t have a lot of children.

[@emkalina]

​@LuxVi7 feanor had like 9, many elves we know of settled on no less that like 3

[@LuxVi7]

@@emkalina Sure but what I mean is that it wasn’t common for elves to have many children. But oh well… we’ll never know.

[@benu_bird]

@@emkalina Feanor had 7 sons-that was considered a lot of children for an elf. And he doomed them all with his oath.

[@richwilson7981]

I think chatgpt created this entire video.

[@richwilson7981]

Someone typed in key words. The voice, the generated images...

[@FairlyFictional]

Someone has no clue. But here’s a cookie 🍪

[@timonsolus]

@@FairlyFictional: That’s just an AI generated cookie! I want a real one! (goes to the store)

[@FairlyFictional]

@@timonsolus just make sure it has chocolate 😂

[@timonsolus]

@@FairlyFictional : Absolutely! Chocolate cookies are the best cookies

[@MimiMimi-yj4kl]

Where is the love interest of legolas?

[@markyochoa]

AI voice or real voice?

[@FairlyFictional]

My voice. No one else’s.

[@omaralanis22]

😢😮

[@MrMountainchris]

And they were roommates... 💗

[@JoshuaLivie]

There was no conception of lord of the rings when Tolkien wrote the hobbit.

[@conniegaylord5206]

He couldnt stay knowing he would never have Taurel love.

[@benu_bird]

That was from the movie the Hobbit. It's not in the books.

[@conniegaylord5206]

But there was a movie of Lord of the Rings.

[@JoshuaLivie]

Hilarious!

[@JoshuaLivie]

@@conniegaylord5206 this is about the book Legolas.

[@johnathanwalker8395]

My question would be. Why would he want to be stuck as the caretaker of a kingdom so far from his new friends and found lands? But really, his promise to Gimli meant he could never have tied himself to the reign of his father's realm. He had also committed to the rebuilding of Ithilien. Mirkwood and the Woodland realm were of an age now past. Legolas was looking to the future and wanted to help mend the wounds years of conflict, wanton destruction, and depopulation had left on Gondor and Rohan.